Monthly Archives: October 2007

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Singer Robert Goulet passed away yesterday at the age of 73. The beloved entertainer was best known to theater fans as Sir Lancelot in the original Broadway production of the musical Camelot. Broadway paid its respect to Mr. Goulet tonight by dimming the lights of its marquees.

The latest news in the ongoing contract dispute between the Broadway stagehands union Local One and the League of American Theatres and Producers is that the two parties will return to the negotiating table on November 7. Talks between the Broadway stagehands and producers ceased on October 9, and since that time, Local One voted to authorize a strike (if necessary) and the producers began implementing portions of their proposed contract, even though the union obviously hasn’t accepted the offer. Local One leadership instructed its members to go ahead and abide by the new provisions until a new contract has been officially agreed upon.

At this stage, it’s hard to say whether or not there will be a strike. The League’s imposition of the new rules was an aggressive move that seemed designed to provoke, but Local One has never gone on strike before and likely doesn’t want to start now. The head of IATSE, Local One’s parent union, will be present at the new negotiations, which isn’t necessarily a good sign, though — an IATSE representative must be present at one round of talks before Local One is permitted to strike.

The current Broadway revival of Les Miserables will close on January 6, 2008. The production was originally scheduled for a limited six-month run, but extended its Broadway engagement due to high ticket demand. The original Broadway production of Les Miz played for more than 15 years and is one of the longest-running Broadway shows of all time.

There’s a whole lot of Broadway on the big screen right now, thanks to the new warm-hearted comedy Dan in Real Life, which opened in movie theaters this weekend. Playing Steve Carell’s brother is Norbert Leo Butz, who has starred in Broadway musicals Wicked and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and is currently on the Great White Way in the Mark Twain play Is He Dead? Carell’s eldest daughter is played by Allison Pill, who is also currently starring in a Broadway play, Mauritius. Other Broadway regulars in the Dan in Real Life cast include Matthew Morrison, John Mahoney, and Frank Wood.

Film actor Harvey Keitel will play the title role in a concert version of Jerry Springer – The Opera taking place at Carnegie Hall on January 29 and 30. Though it was a hit in London, Jerry Springer has never made it to Broadway, but concert versions of it are beginning to pop up around the country.

Chazz Palminteri, in his Broadway debut, opens his one-man show A Bronx Tale tonight at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Actor/writer Palminteri, best known for his screen roles, performed A Bronx Tale Off-Broadway and in L.A. several years ago, eventually leading to the 1993 movie version starring himself and Robert DeNiro. He has now finally brought the show to Broadway, where it will play through February 10, 2008.

Acclaimed Hollywood film actor Laurence Fishburne will be coming to Broadway in 2008 to perform George Stevens Jr.’s one-man play Thurgood, based on the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Although Fishburne is best known for his roles in movies such as The Matrix, he is no stranger to Broadway, having won a Tony Award for his performance in Two Trains Running. The actor’s most recent Broadway appearance was in the revival of The Lion in Winter.

Thurgood will begin performances on March 30th at the Booth Theatre (following the limited run of The Seafarer) and have its Broadway opening on April 20th 2008

The new Broadway play The Seafarer, previously scheduled to start performances on October 31, will now begin its Broadway preview period on October 30. The Conor McPherson play will have its official Broadway opening at the Booth Theatre on November 15. To get discount tickets to The Seafarer, check out the Broadway Discount Ticket Guide.

Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton’s forthcoming film version of the 1979 Broadway musical, will have two soundtrack recordings, to be released by Nonesuch Records on December 18. One of them will be a special two-disc deluxe edition that features all of the music from the movie, as well as bonus material and a bound booklet. Previously, The Phantom of the Opera film took the same course, offering a deluxe soundtrack package, as well as a scaled down “highlights” recording.